"hysteroscopy"

I was given an appointment for a hysteroscopy as I had evidence of thickening of the lining of the womb. It was suggested I take paracetamol before I attended the appointment.   On the day I sat in the waiting room. A patient came out and said to her companion that  her experience was awful and painful.  I was then called in.

One of the young assistants looked like a rabbit caught in headlights - scared! I undressed from the waist down,  and with my modesty blue paper walked to the chair and sat in it. My legs were put in stirrups and the procedure began. Opening the cervix was painful so I was offered local anaesthetic.   4 injections into the cervix - each one stung. The cervix was clipped open.   Still really painful. Then the agony began as the scope went in the water expanded my womb.   Biopsies were taken - excruciatingly painful -my head thrashed from side to side. I forgot to say an assistant gave me a ball to squeeze!  

Afterwards, shaking and bleeding, I was asked to get dressed. I got dressed and went out to the waiting room. There was no recovery room. I expected a 5 minute recovery with perhaps a cup of tea or even water - nothing! I sat outside the hospital, where there was a bus stop, whilst my husband fetched the car. I was doubled over -my stomach cramping. Barbaric is the only way I can describe this procedure! I bled for 2 weeks and felt uncomfortable for 4. To top it all off the biopsies were inadequate, so I have to gave the procedure repeated. A polyp was seen at the time and this now needs to be removed without any pain relief. I have refused to have this barbaric procedure carried  out without pain relief again but feel as if I am being made to feel a nuisance.